Michael Silver from yahoo was on NFLN

[jramsey4]

An 18 game schedule is the worse thing that can happen in the NFL. Some people may not like the 4 preseason games, but those games are necessary to evaluate what new guys you want to keep on your team. Every year we have no idea who will stay on the team until the 3rd or , most of the time, the 4th game. If they cut it to 2 games, they might as well just do away with preseason all together and draw names out of a hat to determine who stays.

I would also like to add to Scott's reasons against it is that stats will be inflated even more and will become uncomparable to seasons of past. Especially from 1977 and past when they played 14 games. The happiest group of people in America if this 18 game schedule happens is the '72 Dolphins. That would just about make their unbeaten season impossible to match.

You know what they should do? Get rid of pre-season but up the roster limit to what it is in the pre-season. Then every week take away a set number of roster spots. By about mid season you would have plenty of game film to evaluate the fringe guys. The first few games have a heavy rotation to keep them fresh and to evaluate the fringe players.

A strategy could come about that you could play your star players more at the start of the season but not get as much actual gametime evaluation of the younger players and you would have more injury concerns. Wouldn't mind it actually.

[jramsey4]

Really most of the complaining you here from players is praticing (and injuries of course). I think it was Sapp that said it best "They paid me to practice I played the games for free." Really they play those games anyway, albeit usually only half of it.

[KillerKat]

Can't use the regular season to evaluate the fringe guys. When regular season comes, that's when things get real and teams can't waste a few games playing them.

[ncbobcat]

Can't use the regular season to evaluate the fringe guys. When regular season comes, that's when things get real and teams can't waste a few games playing them.

The second and third preseason games are meaningless. The third is essentially a tune-up for the starters and reserves making the roster. If you know they are making the roster, why the tune-up? Knocking the rust off? I have to pay for that, not to mention they'll still be a bit rusty come opening day anyhow. The second preseason game is usually split a half on the starters and a half on the fringe guys. So the players will lose one half of game time to prove themselves and coaches to evaluate. Not the end of the world.

In the end, the starters are missing 4-5 quaters of game time and the fringe guys 3-4 quarters; essentially a game for the studs and a game for the scrubs.

Starters are only having to play one extra game, essentially. I don't remember players crying when the wildcard game was added years ago. HEY, THAT'S AN EXTRA GAME!!!! I WANT COMPENSATION AND MORE BENENFITS!!!!!

[Happy Panther]

Starters are only having to play one extra game, essentially. I don't remember players crying when the wildcard game was added years ago. HEY, THAT'S AN EXTRA GAME!!!! I WANT COMPENSATION AND MORE BENENFITS!!!!!

The players aren't asking for more compensation and are actually getting paid less

As far as benefits that is being negotiated.

[ncbobcat]

The players aren't asking for more compensation and are actually getting paid less

As far as benefits that is being negotiated.

Yes they are getting paid more compared to pre-2006. Even with what they are 'giving back' will most likely still be higher than the old deal. A raise none-the-less, but not the lucrative money they are making now. The union knew that deal was too sweet for the players and there would be a time to pay the piper.

[Dpantherman]

Not for the Bills

Buffalo sucks in general, whats new?